Concern Worldwide is an NGO dedicated to the reduction of suffering and working towards the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries. We engage in long-term development work, build resilience, respond to emergency situations, and seek to address the root causes of poverty through our development education and advocacy work.
Concern implements a huge diversity of programmes designed to address specific causes of extreme poverty in communities across 25 countries.
We believe in a world where no-one lives in poverty, fear or oppression, where all have access to a decent standard of living and the opportunities and choices essential to a long, healthy and creative life: a world where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
You never know what assistance is going to be required from 25 countries
Each day really is different in an organisation like this. You never know what assistance is going to be required from the 25 countries that make up the Concern family, so we need a large team with different areas of expertise to respond effectively. I contribute through an in-depth knowledge of the finance system and reports to assist countries on all aspects of the accounting process. This involves everything from completing cashbooks and donor reports to management accounts, annual audits and reviews of complex, high-value donor budget proposals.
My first role with Concern was as a roving financial controller. I was deployed in various countries including Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and Iraq. This laid the foundation of my current role and helped in my understanding of how the different country teams work. Having that first-hand experience of what Concern does helps as we address the increasing compliance requirements for NGOs, both from our countries of operation and the organisations that fund us (such as agencies of the EU and Irish government).
We work with local partners, focusing on capacity building and systems strengthening
The way we implement our programmes has changed and continues to change. For example, NGOs deliver approximately 22% of global humanitarian aid through cash and vouchers, mainly in emergency situations for which detailed standard operating practices are required. As an organisation, we are also committed to working with more local partners, where there is often a need to focus on capacity building and systems strengthening.
I’m incredibly proud of being part of the Concern family, especially when I see how well all the country teams adapt to a changing environment. Recent examples include emergency situations such as the earthquake in Türkiye, the conflict in Ukraine and, more recently, the situation in Republic of Sudan.
Listen without distraction and be flexible so that you are able to meet your objectives
In my downtime, my husband and I backpack around the world. We have been to more than 60 countries, including Myanmar, China, India and Russia (where we travelled on the Trans-Siberian Express), and across six continents including Antarctica. When I am not travelling I like to bake and recently came sixth in the All Ireland Chocolate Cook of the Year! I have also been involved in organising Daffodil Day collections for the Irish Cancer Society in our local community.
The most important business lesson I have learned in my career is that everyone learns at a different pace and in different ways. Listen without distraction and be flexible so that you are able to meet your objectives. Also, you never really stop learning…
